Hello, September!
Spend your Labor Day weekend at Chicago festivals all about jazz, lobster, Poland or Ireland, or explore Evanston’s beautiful lakefront. Plus, find multiple ways to give back this week and next.
Chicago Jazz Festival
Aug. 31 to Sept. 3
Chicago
This free Labor Day festival is back with performances by Jon Faddis, the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio, Allison Miller Boom Tic Boom, the Rebirth Brass Band and more. An art fair will also take place alongside the jazz festival with official art fair artist Adam Guichard.
The Great American Lobster Fest
Sept. 1-3
Chicago
Navy Pier will host the Midwest’s largest lobster and seafood festival this Labor Day weekend. Dine on lobster from the East Coast, enjoy live music, take part in family games and activities, shop crafts and more.
Taste of Polonia
Sept. 1-4
Chicago
The Copernicus Center in Jefferson Park will be the site of this annual festival featuring four stages with more than 30 bands, carnival rides, folk dancing, vendors, a kids area, and Polish food and beer.
Evanston History Center Walking Tour: Evanston’s Lakefront
Sept. 2
Evanston
Explore Evanston’s lakefront with a docent-led walking tour. Learn more about shipwrecks, boathouses, parks, beaches and more connected to the stunning lakefront along Evanston.
Irish Days
Sept. 2-4
Long Grove
This free festival will feature entertainment from Irish musicians, singers and dancers, an Irish Dog Competition, a Wee Ones Area with storytelling, crafts and more, a leprechaun hunt, and traditional food and beer.
Bonus
- The final Monday Night Car Shows event of the year, Truck Night, will take place Sept. 4, at Westfield Old Orchard. This free show also offers food from restaurants at the mall, kids’ activities and more.
Give Back Opportunities
- SPYRL™, a GYROTONIC® studio in Highland Park, will host Dr. Cheryl Perlis of Perlis Wellness Center for a three-part seminar titled “The Secrets of Aging Gracefully.” The series begins Aug. 31 with “Strengthening Your Inner and Outer Beauty.” To reserve your spot, e-mail info@spyrlchicago.com or call 847-348-0822. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will benefit the Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation.
- Friends For Health will kick off their 10-day fundraiser for North Shore Health Center on Sept. 5 at Beelow’s NorthShore Steakhouse in Highland Park. FFH will launch their online auction, which raised $9,000 last year, at this event, which will also feature a complimentary appetizer bar, half-price drinks, a gift card raffle and more. Plus, 15 percent of dinner bills at Beelow’s during the 10-day period will be donated to FFH.
- Nando’s PERi-PERi Chicken will celebrate its grand opening on Michigan Avenue with Chance The Rapper on Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. The restaurant will also donate all proceeds from Sept. 5-7 to Chance’s nonprofit, SocialWorks, to help empower Chicago youth.
Feature photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash.
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Anna Carlson writes the weekly 5 Things to Do column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of Glenbrook South High School and the University of Missouri, she loves cheering on the Cubs and Blackhawks and also fears she watches too much Netflix.
